Bishop Burton College showcases inspiring youth social action in new national pilot
SHOWCASE: Guests at Bishop Burton College heard about the inspiring youth social action of students. Pictures by Tom Arran
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Bishop Burton College has become the first in the country to launch an inspiring project to showcase youth social action and promote enrichment.
The college is a pilot site, supported by the Association of Colleges (AoC), for having a dedicated focus on youth social action.
The AoC plans to present the success of the pilot as a blueprint for national rollout of the scheme next year.
At an event attended by Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell, Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart and over 50 local businesses and agencies, attendees heard about the transformational impact students have had through community projects and positive change.
Students shared a range of experiences and projects they have been involved in, from supporting survivors of domestic abuse and violence in South Africa, running a food bank project and raising money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, to work experience placements, making products to support charities and events, conservation work and sporting competitions.
Sharron Mansell, vice principal at Bishop Burton College, which supports more than 3,000 students and apprentices, said: “We believe education should open doors, create opportunities and enable people from all backgrounds to contribute positively to society.
PRESENTATION: Students at Bishop Burton College described the transformational impact they are having
“The youth social action projects bring our values to life. They show our students being inspirational and ambitious, working together with a range of partners and organisations to create positive change.
“Our students take so much pride and enjoyment from being involved. Whatever course they study, we want our students to understand that their learning here is about more than a qualification.
“It’s about recognising that their skills and knowledge can help improve lives, strengthen communities and support sustainability and wellbeing. These projects help our students see the difference they can make.”
Eddie Playfair, senior policy manager at the AoC, said it was the ideal time to showcase the youth social action and enrichment programme as the contributions of colleges across the country were celebrated during Colleges Week.
He said: “Our main mission is to develop the skills students need for their jobs and work. We want to develop citizens who can make a wider contribution to society.
“Youth social action is about giving young people channels, opportunities, skills and support to show how they can make a difference in their communities on issues that really concern them.
PROUD: Bishop Burton College vice principal Sharron Mansell said students are making positive change
“We’ll soon have 16 and 17-year-olds voting, and we know those who vote as soon as they can are more likely to continue to vote and be engaged.
“It’s about young people making a difference, making a change, developing skills to become active citizens and share in the joy of doing things collectively.”
The showcase was also supported by the Pears Foundation – a philanthropic foundation of the Pears family, who have given more than £500 million to charity since it was established.
Mayor Campbell, who opened the event, said: “Everyone involved in this pilot at Bishop Burton College should be really proud of what they’ve achieved.
“You’ve shown exactly what happens when young people care about their community, and how powerful local action can be across Hull and East Yorkshire.
“Colleges give young people strong foundations and the confidence to aim high. This pilot has put our region firmly on the map, and I hope what you’ve achieved here is the start of something bigger across the whole country.”
MISSION: Eddie Playfair, senior policy manager at the Association of Colleges (AoC), speaking at Bishop Burton College
Leanne Williamson, youth social action apprentice at Bishop Burton, has organised and led several activities and events at the college, including a clothes swap during Sustainability Week and a first aid event in partnership with St John Ambulance.
She said: “It’s great to showcase the amazing work students have been doing outside the curriculum to tackle social issues they care about.
“The skills students learn, such as teamwork and leadership, can be taken into employment. They can put it on their CV and be proud of the work they’ve done.”
Mr Stuart closed the event. He said: “Walking around Bishop Burton College today, I saw young people spotting problems and choosing to do something about them. That’s what real change looks like.
“My job is to unleash their talent by working with others to remove barriers and build ladders of opportunity.
“Our young people are the risk takers, the innovators, the builders of what comes next – and I will back them every step of the way.”